Located just across the road from the Almancil train station, Frog & Fiddle is easily accessible to people coming from far and wide, a short distance for locals by car, and a scenic walk away from the town centre.
Our imagination was immediately captured upon entering the vicinity. The terrace is ample, with high-quality wooden floorboards supporting a number of tables which are in turn covered by bright white canopies that shade guests from the Sun. The inside takes a different approach, more tailored for the winter season, with an incredibly cosy atmosphere marked by soft bar stools and a charming little fireplace tucked under the TV.
A delicious meal
The staff were quite delightful, welcoming us with open arms and guiding us through the subtle nuances of what seems on the surface like a relatively simple menu. Each dish has been curated with care, complementing one another in the ultimate goal of having something enjoyable to every person’s individual appetite. With that said, here’s what we landed on:
Firstly, and perhaps most importantly is their signature Fiddle Burger. This homemade beef burger features classic ingredients such as bacon, lettuce, and cheese, while adding egg and caramelised onion that blend together to create a marvellous explosion of flavours.
The other option for our main course was a Jardineira, the dish of the day for the particular moment in which we visited. This is a bowl of luscious meat, soft and tender, drenched in a flavourful broth that filled us with the warmth we’d only otherwise achieve by rolling ourselves up in weighted blankets next to a fireplace in the middle of a Scandinavian winter. The dish was served alongside a bowl of boutique salad dressed in the pub’s very own, very personal collection of herbs and spices, as well as a healthy dose of mayonnaise. On the side were a decently sized pile of chips and rice paddy, exactly what you need to accompany the taste of the brothy, succulent meat.
For drinks, we had a creamy Piña Colada and a bubbly Aperol Spritz, complementing the tastes Jardineira and Fiddle Burger, respectively. With how filling the food is here, choosing the right drink is an essential part of the experience.
That wasn’t the only thing they served us, though. To go alongside these hearty meals, we received crunchy tempura prawns, adding a little taste of the ocean into our overall culinary adventure, as well as portions of crispy sweet potato chips and onion rings.
Finally, for dessert, we were blessed with brownies. The velvet textured baked goods filled any remaining nooks and crannies in our stomachs that could possibly still be attended to, with a crunchy top layer that complimented the underlying sweetness laid within the chocolate, creating a delicate yet precise balance that made sure this would be a day to remember. These brownies came with two scoops of ice cream, vanilla and chocolate, as well as a dose of whipped cream on the side, with this absolute ode to sweetness rounded out by a light dressing of molten chocolate.
More than just a pub
Our experience at Frog & Fiddle was splendid, but there’s more to it than just the exquisite food and drinks. As a classic Irish pub, the Frog & Fiddle is not just a place to eat, but a space to spend time with family and friends.
Sports television is a main-stay at the establishment, with football matches being broadcast on TV whenever they’re live, and the entertainment doesn’t end there; Frog & Fiddle offers a lively mix of live music and karaoke, creating fun evenings for everyone.
The venue also hosts many private events from Birthdays and Wedding Day 1 & Day 2 celebrations to any other special occasions, as well as providing buffet options and drinks packages tailored for large groups.
When it comes to food, Frog & Fiddle serves a dish of the day during the week, with two options available, and there is always a burger or salad as an alternative. Their full menu or quick-bites menu is available outside lunch hours on weekdays and all weekend.
Whether you’re a pub lover, or just simply visiting Almancil, make sure to check out their Instagram @frogfiddle or Facebook Frog & Fiddle.